Beet-harvester.



Patented Mar. 25, I902.

M. W. PALMER.

BEET HARVESTER.

(Application filed. Mar. 6, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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71'. Palmer.

WIITNE69SES A TTORNE YS No. 696,262. .Paten ted Mar. 25, I902.

M. W. PALMER.

BEET HARVESTEB.

(Applicatjon filed Mar. 6, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 696,262. Patented Mar. 25,- I902.

m, w. PALMER.

BEET HARVESTER.

(Application filed Mar. 6, 1901.!

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jr L I l L llfl M /7 l a2 i k L I a I?- Q2 I I, l I g 3 K I l 1 J 4 I 3 2 jg I J as J6 6- -6 6 WITNESSES; J mvavrok @W, 5 ATTORNEYS I m: ncRRls PEYERS cov vucraurnm vmsumorowv u. u

No. 696,262. Patented Mar. 25, 1902.

m. w. PALMER.

BEET HARVESTEB.

{Application filed Mar. 6, 1901.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheetr-Sheet 4.

Z v If 3 I Q Hag/l1 .7 JV Q I1 I J3 W WITNESSES .ATTOHNEYS m: NoRms PETERS cc, PNOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTQN, u c.

No. 696,262. Patented Mar. 25, I902.

M. W. PALMER.

BEE'I' HARVESTER.

(Application filed Mar. 6, 1901.)

(No Model.) 1 5 Sheets-$heet 5. I

BYW

' momrs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERRITI WV. PALMER, OF HAMILTON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOROF ON E-FOURTII TO RICHARD N. DE MERELL, OF HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.

BEET-HARVESTE'R.

sracrrroarron forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,262, dated March a5, 1902.

Application'filed March 6, 1901. Serial No. 50,051. No model.)

To aZZ 227mm, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MERRITT W. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamilton, in the county of Allegan and State of 5 Michigan, have made certain new and useful .Improvements in Beet-Harvesters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in beetharvesters, and has for an object, among othl ers, to provide a novel construction by which to cut the tops from the beets, clear the path for such cutters in advance of the operation of topping the beets, raise the beets to .the surface of the ground in'rear of the toppingl cutters, clear the dirt from the beets, and deposit the beets on the ground where they can be readily picked up, and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be herein-after'dee0 scribed and claimed.

' In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation,

Fig. 2 a plan view, and Fig. 3 a vertical longitudinal section, of a harvester embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a detail cross-sectional viewon about line 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View on about line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on. Fig. 7 is a eross-sec-' about line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

tional view on about line '7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig.

3e 8 is a detail rear elevation showing the clutch mechanism for keying the drive-sprocket on the drive-shaft. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the combined plow and elevator. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on about line 10 10 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of one end of the carrier-frame. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective-view showing that portion of the main frame which provides guides for the carrier-frame. Fig. 13 is a de- 40 tail perspective view of one end of the later and chains B brace the hounds from the axle near the ends of the latter, while chains B extend from the hounds upwardly to the front end A of the main frame. The axle B is braced from the rear by a bar B, which extends from beneath the axle rearwardly and thence upwardly and connects with the crossbar B extending between'the side bars A near their front ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In pivoting the axle B it is preferred to fix it rigidly to the plate 5, from which the hounds 13 extend and to project the said plate 17 in rear of the axle and perforate it for the passage of the king-bolt b, as will be best understood from Figs. 2 and 3.

At a point just in rear of that where the bars A begin to converge I connect them by a cross-beam C, which is provided between its ends with lugs C and 0 These lugs project forwardly, and to the lugs O, I pivot the upper ends of arms D, which are provided at their lower ends with the scrapers D and are connected between their ends by a cross-bar D tying the arms D together so they will '2. The purpose of these scrapers is to clear'85 a track for the cutters presently described, when they are lowered to the position shown in Fig. 1, and when lowered to this position the scrapers are stayed in place by means of chains D which extend from the cross-bar 0 D forwardly and upwardly and are made fast to beams A of the main frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be noticed that the scrapers may be raised from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 clear of the ground, 5 as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3. For this purpose I provide alever E, which is pivoted at E to the lug O and is engaged at its lower end with the cross-bar D preferably by slotting the lever E at E to straddle the bar D as shown. 13y rocking the lever E on its pivot E the crossbars can be set up or down,

as desired. I operate this lever E by suitable connection with the main lever, which will be presently described. In rear of crossbar C, I provide the main frame with vertical guides F for the carrier-frame. The specific construction by which I secure this guide is shown in detail in Fig. 12 and consists of a plate F, provided with a vertical slot forming the guide F, and having on its outer side lateral projecting flangesf, prolonging the walls of the slot F, and horizontal flanges F extending on opposite sides of the slot F and receiving the ends a of sections of the side bars A of the main frame, which are fitted in the recesses formed by the flanges F and securely bolted or riveted in place. This forms a simple and strong construction which can be readily made and conveniently applied for use.

The carrier-frame G, one end of which is shown in detail in Fig. 11, is provided with end plates G, on which are provided the lateral projecting studs or projections G and G which project into the guide-slot F and permit the vertical adjustment of the carrierframe, as may be desired. The said studs G and G standing one above the other, prevent any rocking of the carrier-frame and preserve the same in position at all times. This frame G supports the cutters which are carried by a cutter-frame, and the cutter-frame H, one end of which is shown in detail in Fig. 13, is movable laterally in the carrier-frame G, this lateral movement of the cutter-frame and the vertical movement of the earrier-fram e being independent of each other. In effecting the lateral movement of the cutter-frame I provide the carrier-frame with horizontally-extended guides G", which are preferably in the form of slots, the carrier-frame being reinforced above and below such slots by the flanges G, as shown in Fig. 11.

The cutter-frame II comprises the bars II, which fit close to the inner sides of the crossbars of the carrier-frame and are provided with flanges H which rest and slide upon the bars 9 of the carrier-frame. The lower edges of the bars II of the cutter-frame are provided with inwardly projecting bracingflanges H as shown in Fig. 13, and the bars II are joined by connecting-bars I1 which support bearings II for the cross-shaft for driving the cutters. Near their ends the bars II of the cutter-frame are provided with bearings H, in which journal studs 1 of the brackets I and the studs 1 preferably project beyond the bars II and enter the guides G of the carrier-frame and operate to support the cutter-frame slidably within the carrierframe, as will be understood from Fig. 7. The brackets I are provided with vertical bearings l for the upright shafts J of the cutters J, and these brackets Ican rock upon their studs I to permit the adjustment of the cutters together or apart. The opposite brackets I are connected together by a spring 1 which tends to draw them toward each other, and yet permits them to adjust to per mit the passage between them of stones or other unyielding obstructions. The spring 1 preferably connects with rods I", supported in the brackets between their ends. limit the inward movement of the brackets I, I provide a stop consisting of sections K K, slotted at their inner ends and adjustably supported-at such ends by means of a bolt K carried on a yoke K supported by the cutter-frame. At their outer ends the bars K are arranged for abutment by the brackets I, and they may be adjusted upon each other to permit the brackets I to move nearer together, so the stops can be arranged to permit the desired inward movement of the brackets as cutters are worn away. It will be noticed thus that I provide spring devices for drawing the brackets toward each other and stop devices for limiting such movement, as may be desired. It will also be noticed that I provide the carrier-frame, which is adjustable vertically in the. main frame, and a cutter-frame, which is adjustable laterally in the vertically-adjustable carrier-frame, thus permitting the lowering of the cutters to the position for use and the shifting laterally of such cutters to bring them in line with the plants in the row.

For shifting the cutter-frame laterally I may employ a foot-lever N, (see Fig. 7,) fulcrumed at N to the carrier-frame and arranged at N to engage the cutter-frame, so it can shift the latter laterally to cause it to follow the beet-row in case the latter is crooked; but in most cases the cutters will adjust themselves automatically to follow the rows without the necessity of shifting the cutter-frame by any separate operating devices.

In rear of the carrier-frame I provide on the main frame a table 0, on which is mounted the drivers seat 0 and beneath which extends the main shaft P of the main lever P. This shaft P is journaled to the main frame and has fixed to it the lever P, which may operate to rock the shaft P, and this lever P is connected by the link P with the lever E, so it can operate the latter. The shaft P is provided at its ends with cranks P, which are connected by links P with the studs G" of the carrier-frame, so the rocking of the shaft P will operate to raise or lower the carrier-frame to adjust the cutters up or down, as may be desired. The lever P is provided with a detent P operating in connection with a segment I? to secure the lever in any desired adjustment.

The plow or digger Q is formed with a moldboard Q and standards Q at the sides thereof, which standards are secured at the rear ends of the beams Qf, which are supported at their front ends, which converge, by the link Q from a crank-arm Q, on the shaft P, as shown in Fig. 3, so the rocking of the shaft P may also operate to raise and lower the front end of the beam. At its rear end the plow is supported by a link@ from a crank R on a' counter-shaft R, which also has a crank-arm R connected by a-link R with a crank-arm R on the shaft P, so the shaft P may also operate to raise and lower the rear end of the plow. I brace the plow-beams Q between their ends from the main frame by means of the rods S, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The plow is provided upon its'moldboard Q with the ribs T, which extend in advance of the front edge of the moldboard and operate to break up the dirt which is raised with the beets and permit-the beets to slide up onto the elevator U, which is carried at the rear end of the plow, inclines upwardly,'and is formed with an endless slatted apron, which permits the dirt to drop through and carries the beets upward and discharges them upon the ground, where they can be easily picked up. The elevator is provided on one of its shafts with a gear-wheel U, suitably geared, so the carrier will be driven asdesired.

The axle V is provided with the drive-wheels V, which may be suitably clutched at V so they will not operate the axleV when the machine is backed, and upon the axle is flt ted loosely the sprocket-wheel W, and a clutchsection W is arranged for operation, as shown in Fig. 8, to'clutch the wheel W to the shaft V whenever desired, the clutch-lever W extending adjacent to the drivers seat 0, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8. A sprocket-belt W connects the pulley W'with the pulley M, which operates to drive the cutters before described.

It will be noticed that by means of the lever P, I can raise the scrapers, the cutters, and the plow at the same time and can also lower the said bars in using, thus enabling the instant setting up of the operating-bars into and out of position for use. It will also be noticed that the meeting edges of the cutters are arranged in line with the space between the inner edges of the scrapers and that the plow operates in rear of the cutters in such manner as to elevate the beets which have been cropped by the cutters.

The opposing cutters J and their shafts J and the supporting-brackets for said shafts, the springs connecting said brackets, and the stop devices between the opposite brackets form the subject-matter of a'separate application for patent, Serial No. 75,671, filed by me in the Patent Office September 20, 1901.

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a beet-harvester, the combination as herein described of the main frame having upright guides, the carrier-frame movable vertically in said guides, the cutter-frame movable laterally in the carrier-frame, the cutters carried by the cutter frame, and means for operating the cutters, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a-beet-harvester of the main frame, the vertically-movable carrier-frame, the cutters, the scrapers, the pivoted arms carrying the scrapers, the main lever, andmeans whereby the mainlever may operate to adjust the carrier-frame and the scrapers, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a beet-harvester of the scrapers, the cutters, a carrier-frame for said cutters which is adjustable vertically, the plow in rear of the cutters, and a main shaft provided with crank-arms connected with the plow, and with crank-arms connected with the vertically-movable carrier-frame, a main lever on said shaft and intermediate devices between said main lever and the scrapers, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in a beet-harvester, substantially as herein described, of the main frame,'the scrapers, the pivoted arms carrying the scrapers, connections between said arms, the lever for adjusting the scrapers, the. main shaft, the main lever on said shaft, connections between said main lever and the scraper-adjusting lever, crank-arms on the shaft, a vertically-movable carrier-frame connected with the crank-arms of the main shaft, the plow, a crank-arm on the main shaft connected with said plow, a counter-shaft, crankarms on said counter-shaft and main shaft, connections between said crank-arms, and crank-arms on the counter-shaft connected with the plow, substantially as set forth.

5 A beet-harvester, substantially as described, comprising the framing, the supporting-wheels, the scrapers, the cutters in rear of the scrapers, the plow in rear of the cutters, and means whereby the said scrapers, cutters and plow may be jointly raised and lowered, substantially as set forth.

6. In a beet harvester, substantially as herein described, the combination of the main frame, the scrapers, the arms supporting the scrapers and pivoted at their upper ends,- the lever arranged at one end to operate the scrapers, the cutters, the carrier-frame ad-' justable vertically in the main frame, the cutter-frame adjustable laterally in the carrier-frame, the main shaft having a main lever connected with the scraper-adjusting lever, crank-arms on the main shaft, devices connecting certain of said crank-arms with the carrier-frame, the plow-frame, and connections between said plow-frame and certain of the crank-arms on the main shaft, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a beet-harvester the combination of the verticallymovable carrier frame, the main frame comprising guide-plateshaving vertical slots for projections on the carrierframe, and horizontal flanges on opposite sides of said slots, and frame-bars'fitting between said flanges, and the cutting devices supported by the carrierframe,- substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the main frame having guide-slots, the carrier-frame having end plates provided with projections operating ill said slots and the cutter-frame in said earrier-frame, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the carrier frame having its cross-bars provided with longitudinal slots, the cutter-frame fitting in said carrier-frame and comprising a main portion, and end brackets provided with pivoted studs entering bearings in the main portion and vicled with pivoted brackets, the cutter shafts journaled in said brackets, and the opposing cutters on said shafts composed each of blades having projecting teeth and notches, the teeth of one cutter being arranged to enter the notches of the opposing cutter, substantially as set forth.

12. In a beet-harvester, the combination substantially as described, of the main frame, the cutter-frame, movable laterally in the mainframe, the cutters having their shafts provided with bevel-pinions, the shaft journaled to the cutter-frame and having gears meshing with the pinions of the cutters, a sprocket-gear on said shaft, a forked guide on the carrier-frame embracing said sprocketgear, and the sprocket-chain and drive devices, substantially as set forth.

MERRIT" \V. PALMER.

Witnesses:

GEO. E. KOLLEN, IRA PALMER. 

